NanoSIMS analysis of organic carbon from the Tissint Martian meteorite : Evidence for the past existence of subsurface organic-bearing fluids on Mars

Title data

Lin, Yangting ; El Goresy, Ahmed ; Hu, Sen ; Zhang, Jianchao ; Gillet, Philippe ; Xu, Yuchen ; Hao, Jialong ; Miyahara, Masaaki ; Ouyang, Ziyuan ; Ohtani, Eiji ; Xu, Lin ; Yang, Wei ; Feng, Lu ; Zhao, Xuchao ; Yang, Jing ; Ozawa, Shin:
NanoSIMS analysis of organic carbon from the Tissint Martian meteorite : Evidence for the past existence of subsurface organic-bearing fluids on Mars.
In: Meteoritics & Planetary Science. Vol. 49 (December 2014) Issue 12 . - pp. 2201-2218.
ISSN 1945-5100
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.12389

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Two petrographic settings of carbonaceous components, mainly filling open fractures and occasionally enclosed in shock-melt veins, were found in the recently fallen Tissint Martian meteorite. The presence in shock-melt veins and the deuterium enrichments (δD up to +1183‰) of these components clearly indicate a pristine Martian origin. The carbonaceous components are kerogen-like, based on micro-Raman spectra and multielemental ratios, and were probably deposited from fluids in shock-induced fractures in the parent rock of Tissint. After precipitation of the organic matter, the rock experienced another severe shock event, producing the melt veins that encapsulated a part of the organic matter. The C isotopic compositions of the organic matter (δ13C = −12.8 to −33.1‰) are significantly lighter than Martian atmospheric CO2 and carbonate, providing a tantalizing hint for a possible biotic process. Alternatively, the organic matter could be derived from carbonaceous chondrites, as insoluble organic matter from the latter has similar chemical and isotopic compositions. The presence of organic-rich fluids that infiltrated rocks near the surface of Mars has significant implications for the study of Martian paleoenvironment and perhaps to search for possible ancient biological activities on Mars.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Institutions of the University:	Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > High Pressure and High Temperature Research Research Institutions Research Institutions > Research Centres Research Institutions > Research Centres > Bavarian Research Institute of Experimental Geochemistry and Geophysics - BGI Profile Fields Profile Fields > Advanced Fields
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 550 Earth sciences, geology
Date Deposited:	19 Aug 2016 08:32
Last Modified:	19 May 2017 08:38
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/34199